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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dragon Black on December 6, 2007, at 16:53:11
Hey All,
Anyone found Wellbutrin SR to be completely different than XL? I used to be on XL, 300 mg/day, later upped to 450. I went on and off the med a number of times for various reasons, none of which stemmed from problems with it or a lack of efficacy. My experience was that I didn't notice anything and about a week after starting it I would start feeling better, no more depression. With hindsight I think that it did increase my anxiety, but my perception at the time was that I didn't "feel" like I was on anything.
I'm now on day 8 with the SR version, 150 mg x 2/day. Maybe part of it is that I'm monitoring myself more, but I feel like I am on a DRUG. It's like being on a moderate dose of amphetamine minus the euphoria/pleasure aspect. I think overall I probably do feel better, but I also just feel weird. It's been a big help with focusing at work and getting stuff done. But there are also the annoying aspects of being on a stim, like just not feeling normal, focusing too much sometimes, stomach feeling weird, etc. Strongly anorectic! Can't believe how strong, have to remind myself to eat, calories are way down. Don't remember noticing this on XL (except to the extent that my self-medicating via eating due to depression largely stopped). Also, sex drive has dropped to almost zero. XL was fairly prosexual, almost too much at times. In short, it feels like a totally different med to me. Started Buspar on the same day (I know, obscures the perception of the individual meds, but I was desperate, and never had any problem going on XL and knew what it felt like). So far haven't noticed anything. I think my anxiety is up from the Wellbutrin, though, so some sort of effect is sorely needed. Also on 1.5 grams of EPA/day.
Anyone have a similar experience or know what the deal is? Shouldn't XL and SR "feel" the same?
Posted by zenhussy on December 10, 2007, at 17:40:05
In reply to Wellbutrin: SR totally different than XL?, posted by Dragon Black on December 6, 2007, at 16:53:11
>>>I'm now on day 8 with the SR version, 150 mg x 2/day. Maybe part of it is that I'm monitoring myself more, but I feel like I am on a DRUG. It's like being on a moderate dose of amphetamine minus the euphoria/pleasure aspect. I think overall I probably do feel better, but I also just feel weird. It's been a big help with focusing at work and getting stuff done. But there are also the annoying aspects of being on a stim, like just not feeling normal, focusing too much sometimes, stomach feeling weird, etc. <<<
the mechanisms of release of the active medication in WB SR and WB XL are different. they're designed to release the active ingredient at different rates. due to metabolic differences some ppl feel certain versions of a med. more readily than another version. personally the XL was the mildest in the stomach dept. versus the SR and older original WB (the 3-4x/daily one).
the SR was noticably activating along w/ the weird stomach feeling and lack of desire to eat. the XL didn't have as much appetite suppression as the SR nor quite the kick-in-the-stomach feeling as the SR.
>>>Strongly anorectic! Can't believe how strong, have to remind myself to eat, calories are way down. Don't remember noticing this on XL (except to the extent that my self-medicating via eating due to depression largely stopped). Also, sex drive has dropped to almost zero. XL was fairly prosexual, almost too much at times. In short, it feels like a totally different med to me. Started Buspar on the same day (I know, obscures the perception of the individual meds, but I was desperate, and never had any problem going on XL and knew what it felt like). So far haven't noticed anything. I think my anxiety is up from the Wellbutrin, though, so some sort of effect is sorely needed. Also on 1.5 grams of EPA/day.
Anyone have a similar experience or know what the deal is? Shouldn't XL and SR "feel" the same?<<<in theory they 'should' feel the same but due to how they're released and absorbed in the body they can differ widely for each perosn.
have personally found higher dose buspar to be very effective along w/ combo of wellbutrin xl and wellbutrin sr against long term depression and raging anxiety. has taken a long time w/ pdoc to arrive at this current cocktail that alleviates more symptoms than the annoying side effects that come along for the ride.
hope you can ride out the SR long enough to see if your body can adjust to it.
how's day 12 treating you?
Posted by Dragon Black on December 12, 2007, at 19:50:49
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin: SR totally different than XL? » Dragon Black, posted by zenhussy on December 10, 2007, at 17:40:05
Hi! Thanks for your response - this thread went over like a lead balloon, I think b/c most people have probably only tried one version. I'm on day 14 and doing much better. I kind of love Wellbutrin SR, despite a few annoying side effects, but they seem to be getting better for the most part. SEs include dry mouth, anxiety : ( and sore jaw from clenching and maybe grinding my teeth in my sleep, not sure, plus kind of overconcentrating at times, and sometimes a touch of aphasia. Stomach seems to be adjusting. Activating aspect has been great, caffeine intake halved over night, cigarette consumption also halved overnight (soon to quit, again, hopefully), drinking way down. Lots of good things. And I'm getting back in shape faster than I think I ever have (I roller coaster from fit to fat, like a good bipolar should, and can get into and out of shape shockingly quickly).
I had a terrible lump in my throat all last Fri-Sat, one of my more obnoxious anxiety symptoms, but since I've noticed that my anxiety seems to be down, though I'm still having periods where I completely overreact to minor everyday threats [on this note, in the archives I read a post from someone who said that his mother was a shrink and that she had found this odd correlation, that people who are anxious with expressway driving seem to do really well on Buspar. I'm one of these, (un?)fortunately]. I'm currently at 25 mg/day (10, 5, 10). You said that you did well on high dose buspar - what dosage were you on?
Thanks! It's nice to hear that someone else did well on this combo, as I'm really hoping that this could be, along with EPA, my magic potion.
> >>>I'm now on day 8 with the SR version, 150 mg x 2/day. Maybe part of it is that I'm monitoring myself more, but I feel like I am on a DRUG. It's like being on a moderate dose of amphetamine minus the euphoria/pleasure aspect. I think overall I probably do feel better, but I also just feel weird. It's been a big help with focusing at work and getting stuff done. But there are also the annoying aspects of being on a stim, like just not feeling normal, focusing too much sometimes, stomach feeling weird, etc. <<<
>
> the mechanisms of release of the active medication in WB SR and WB XL are different. they're designed to release the active ingredient at different rates. due to metabolic differences some ppl feel certain versions of a med. more readily than another version. personally the XL was the mildest in the stomach dept. versus the SR and older original WB (the 3-4x/daily one).
>
> the SR was noticably activating along w/ the weird stomach feeling and lack of desire to eat. the XL didn't have as much appetite suppression as the SR nor quite the kick-in-the-stomach feeling as the SR.
>
> >>>Strongly anorectic! Can't believe how strong, have to remind myself to eat, calories are way down. Don't remember noticing this on XL (except to the extent that my self-medicating via eating due to depression largely stopped). Also, sex drive has dropped to almost zero. XL was fairly prosexual, almost too much at times. In short, it feels like a totally different med to me. Started Buspar on the same day (I know, obscures the perception of the individual meds, but I was desperate, and never had any problem going on XL and knew what it felt like). So far haven't noticed anything. I think my anxiety is up from the Wellbutrin, though, so some sort of effect is sorely needed. Also on 1.5 grams of EPA/day.
> Anyone have a similar experience or know what the deal is? Shouldn't XL and SR "feel" the same?<<<
>
> in theory they 'should' feel the same but due to how they're released and absorbed in the body they can differ widely for each perosn.
>
> have personally found higher dose buspar to be very effective along w/ combo of wellbutrin xl and wellbutrin sr against long term depression and raging anxiety. has taken a long time w/ pdoc to arrive at this current cocktail that alleviates more symptoms than the annoying side effects that come along for the ride.
>
> hope you can ride out the SR long enough to see if your body can adjust to it.
>
> how's day 12 treating you?
Posted by zenhussy on December 17, 2007, at 18:22:23
In reply to (3 Wellbutrin SR...?, posted by Dragon Black on December 12, 2007, at 19:50:49
was at 45 mg. about seven years about when taking wellbutrin instant release and the SR versions.
probably 2x15mg a.m. and 1x15mg p.m.
spent several years at 60 mg. (30mg. a.m. and p.m.)
recently bumped up to 70 mg/day. (35mg. a.m. and p.m.) overwhelming sedation for about two weeks for 10 mg. increase. after that not much problem at all and if anything hugely less anxiety and w/ way less frequency.
have been at all different doses of wellbutrin over the years and usually a combo of different formulations.
cutting back on caffeine and alcohol seemed to go hand in hand w/ the wb increases. feel much better w/o as much caffeine and insomnia issues are not as bad drinking only 1/2 caf 1/2 decaf coffee before noon or so.
hope the meds are supporting you while you manage your issues. keep going and good luck. the EPAs are a great addition to your mix. sounds like you're working on a positive blend of things.
Posted by Dragon Black on December 19, 2007, at 16:07:11
In reply to doses of buspirone » Dragon Black, posted by zenhussy on December 17, 2007, at 18:22:23
Thanks for getting back to me. I was really paranoid about Buspar after reading reviews on several sites and seeing lots of people have ghastly side effects. A number of reviewers stated that the real problem was that people start out too high and that you have to start low and go slow. So I took that to heart, even though I'm usually not med sensitive, started at 2.5 mg x2/day. Now up to 35 starting yesterday (day 20). Usually I don't feel anything but on two occassions it has made me feel totally drugged, like someone slipped me a rufie or something, but it goes away in about 20 minutes.
I'm really interested in something you said - you mentioned that you have been on all sorts of Wellbutrin doses and have even mixed the different formulations...can you expand on this? I know the instructions say you aren't supposed to mix them, but that's due to the seizure issue, which I think has been totally overblown due to basic liability issues that come with selling drugs to millions of people. The thing is, there are some things that I really preferred about the XL version, yet some things that I prefer about the SR. At this point if I had to pick between them I don't know which one I would go with. Curious if sometime in the future I could achieve the best of both worlds. Did your Dr. say it was okay to combine different formulations? Thanks again for your input - hope you are doing well!
> was at 45 mg. about seven years about when taking wellbutrin instant release and the SR versions.
>
> probably 2x15mg a.m. and 1x15mg p.m.
>
> spent several years at 60 mg. (30mg. a.m. and p.m.)
>
> recently bumped up to 70 mg/day. (35mg. a.m. and p.m.) overwhelming sedation for about two weeks for 10 mg. increase. after that not much problem at all and if anything hugely less anxiety and w/ way less frequency.
>
> have been at all different doses of wellbutrin over the years and usually a combo of different formulations.
>
> cutting back on caffeine and alcohol seemed to go hand in hand w/ the wb increases. feel much better w/o as much caffeine and insomnia issues are not as bad drinking only 1/2 caf 1/2 decaf coffee before noon or so.
>
> hope the meds are supporting you while you manage your issues. keep going and good luck. the EPAs are a great addition to your mix. sounds like you're working on a positive blend of things.
Posted by Dragon Black on December 27, 2007, at 15:40:56
In reply to Re: doses of buspirone, posted by Dragon Black on December 19, 2007, at 16:07:11
bump.
> Thanks for getting back to me. I was really paranoid about Buspar after reading reviews on several sites and seeing lots of people have ghastly side effects. A number of reviewers stated that the real problem was that people start out too high and that you have to start low and go slow. So I took that to heart, even though I'm usually not med sensitive, started at 2.5 mg x2/day. Now up to 35 starting yesterday (day 20). Usually I don't feel anything but on two occassions it has made me feel totally drugged, like someone slipped me a rufie or something, but it goes away in about 20 minutes.
>
> I'm really interested in something you said - you mentioned that you have been on all sorts of Wellbutrin doses and have even mixed the different formulations...can you expand on this? I know the instructions say you aren't supposed to mix them, but that's due to the seizure issue, which I think has been totally overblown due to basic liability issues that come with selling drugs to millions of people. The thing is, there are some things that I really preferred about the XL version, yet some things that I prefer about the SR. At this point if I had to pick between them I don't know which one I would go with. Curious if sometime in the future I could achieve the best of both worlds. Did your Dr. say it was okay to combine different formulations? Thanks again for your input - hope you are doing well!
>
> > was at 45 mg. about seven years about when taking wellbutrin instant release and the SR versions.
> >
> > probably 2x15mg a.m. and 1x15mg p.m.
> >
> > spent several years at 60 mg. (30mg. a.m. and p.m.)
> >
> > recently bumped up to 70 mg/day. (35mg. a.m. and p.m.) overwhelming sedation for about two weeks for 10 mg. increase. after that not much problem at all and if anything hugely less anxiety and w/ way less frequency.
> >
> > have been at all different doses of wellbutrin over the years and usually a combo of different formulations.
> >
> > cutting back on caffeine and alcohol seemed to go hand in hand w/ the wb increases. feel much better w/o as much caffeine and insomnia issues are not as bad drinking only 1/2 caf 1/2 decaf coffee before noon or so.
> >
> > hope the meds are supporting you while you manage your issues. keep going and good luck. the EPAs are a great addition to your mix. sounds like you're working on a positive blend of things.
>
>
Posted by zenhussy on December 30, 2007, at 14:33:13
In reply to Re: doses of buspirone, posted by Dragon Black on December 19, 2007, at 16:07:11
>>>Thanks for getting back to me. I was really paranoid about Buspar after reading reviews on several sites and seeing lots of people have ghastly side effects. A number of reviewers stated that the real problem was that people start out too high and that you have to start low and go slow. So I took that to heart, even though I'm usually not med sensitive, started at 2.5 mg x2/day. Now up to 35 starting yesterday (day 20). Usually I don't feel anything but on two occassions it has made me feel totally drugged, like someone slipped me a rufie or something, but it goes away in about 20 minutes.<<<
buspirone has usually has some sort of bp effect w/ head rush feeling or near pass out feelings...again ymmv and this is acceptible SE given years of much worse from other meds. it isn't for everyone.
glad to hear you're giving it the ol' college try! seriously...it isn't easy sticking w/ a new med or increases when there are odd SEs and the lack of immediate results.
>>>I'm really interested in something you said - you mentioned that you have been on all sorts of Wellbutrin doses and have even mixed the different formulations...can you expand on this? I know the instructions say you aren't supposed to mix them, but that's due to the seizure issue, which I think has been totally overblown due to basic liability issues that come with selling drugs to millions of people. The thing is, there are some things that I really preferred about the XL version, yet some things that I prefer about the SR. At this point if I had to pick between them I don't know which one I would go with. Curious if sometime in the future I could achieve the best of both worlds. Did your Dr. say it was okay to combine different formulations? Thanks again for your input - hope you are doing well!<<<
hmmm let's see....years ago on this board there were numerous posts/threads regarding the dyes and coatings of WB SR and the generics back then...someone contacted glaxo and asked about whether or not the SR version *could* be split and taken safely. discussed w/ pdoc at that time and worked on different amounts not available by only taking WB original (buproprion hcl) or WB SR. Over years w/ different pdoc continued on this quest as each formulation came on to market. The XL is easiest on system overall personally and mildest in the SE profile given years of prev. history of taking wellbutrin(s).Perhaps the buspirone and clonazepam temper the WB enough so the mixed amounts are of no greater risk than walking through SF as a pedestrian.
on low brain power so hope this is helpful...if not please ask and attempts to clarify will be made.
peaceful new year to you db.
Posted by zenhussy on January 5, 2008, at 11:33:17
In reply to Re: doses of buspirone » Dragon Black, posted by zenhussy on December 30, 2007, at 14:33:13
> >>>Thanks for getting back to me. I was really paranoid about Buspar after reading reviews on several sites and seeing lots of people have ghastly side effects. A number of reviewers stated that the real problem was that people start out too high and that you have to start low and go slow. So I took that to heart, even though I'm usually not med sensitive, started at 2.5 mg x2/day. Now up to 35 starting yesterday (day 20). Usually I don't feel anything but on two occassions it has made me feel totally drugged, like someone slipped me a rufie or something, but it goes away in about 20 minutes.<<<
>
> buspirone has usually has some sort of bp effect w/ head rush feeling or near pass out feelings...again ymmv and this is acceptible SE given years of much worse from other meds. it isn't for everyone.
>
> glad to hear you're giving it the ol' college try! seriously...it isn't easy sticking w/ a new med or increases when there are odd SEs and the lack of immediate results.
>
> >>>I'm really interested in something you said - you mentioned that you have been on all sorts of Wellbutrin doses and have even mixed the different formulations...can you expand on this? I know the instructions say you aren't supposed to mix them, but that's due to the seizure issue, which I think has been totally overblown due to basic liability issues that come with selling drugs to millions of people. The thing is, there are some things that I really preferred about the XL version, yet some things that I prefer about the SR. At this point if I had to pick between them I don't know which one I would go with. Curious if sometime in the future I could achieve the best of both worlds. Did your Dr. say it was okay to combine different formulations? Thanks again for your input - hope you are doing well!<<<
>
> hmmm let's see....years ago on this board there were numerous posts/threads regarding the dyes and coatings of WB SR and the generics back then...someone contacted glaxo and asked about whether or not the SR version *could* be split and taken safely. discussed w/ pdoc at that time and worked on different amounts not available by only taking WB original (buproprion hcl) or WB SR. Over years w/ different pdoc continued on this quest as each formulation came on to market. The XL is easiest on system overall personally and mildest in the SE profile given years of prev. history of taking wellbutrin(s).
>
> Perhaps the buspirone and clonazepam temper the WB enough so the mixed amounts are of no greater risk than walking through SF as a pedestrian.
>
> on low brain power so hope this is helpful...if not please ask and attempts to clarify will be made.
>
> peaceful new year to you db.
This is the end of the thread.
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